Maybe it's because I'm a Londiner

Not sure why you’d want your slice spiced by an ancient Beninian religion, but if you can get over the gratuitous appropriation of a cultural meme, Voodoo Ray’s in Dalston (related to the Dalston Superstore, so it’s all haircuts and music turned up to 11 even when there’s no one in there, but hey) is well worth a visit for monster slices of 22-inch pizza that taste of magic – black or otherwise.

The thin bases pick up tasty stone-browned patches in an American Garland baker’s oven, and are topped with intense, flavour-packed sauces. My Chili Slice (£4.20) had a thin but rich layer of chilli con carne, red onion, generous slices of jalapeño, mozzarella and sour cream. Eat folded in half with two hands, meaty juices dripping down your arms. That’s the kind of voodoo ritual I like.

Voodoo Ray’s, 95 Kingsland High St, E8. Open 6pm-1am Sun-Thurs, 4pm-3am Fri & Sat. facebook.com/VoodooRays

Challenging the chick-pizz hegemony, a group of idealistic chicken lovers want to give Dalston finger-lickers an ethical alternative for their fried chick-dins by establishing the first free-range fried chicken shop in the UK.

In their own words “We are here to serve people who love fried chicken but hate how and what it’s made from.” As well as cruelty-free, free-range fried chicken, they’ll be dishing up alternatives to fries, such as mash and rice.

I think it’s a great idea and hopefully will encourage locals to think more about eating a bit more healthily and with more consideration for how what they eat is made and where it comes from.

They’ll be offering at-cost school’s out specials to catch the kids on their way home, train local youth to work in the shop and offer them mentoring if they want a catering career, plus they’ll give a portion of profits to local youth charities.

A ten quid donation here gives you a free chicken dinner that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy rather than greasy and queasy. Bargain.

http://www.peoplefund.it/the-chicken-shop/

After many, many years of searching, I’ve finally found somewhere that serves bienenstich.

That’s beesting cake, a german sponge with cream or custard and honeyed almonds.

I grew up in Chester in the 70s and 80s. The true star of the city, for me, was not its Roman walls, famous racecourse or the Rows, but its Weinholts bakery, owned by a family of German heritage. Their bienenstich had the softest brioche and a filling of vanilla custard AND cream. It comforted me through my teenage years and I’ve been looking for it ever since leaving home.

Well now I’ve found it. At the new Beyond Retro in Dalston, of all places.

The cavernous shop has a cafe that manages to be cosy despite its industrial setting, with friendly helpful staff who are very good at persuading you to have cake, especially when you’re staring at it as if it’s a long lost love. Coffee’s good too, but I don’t like the fact they only have disposable cups. Hmmm. There are cutesy kitschy cups dotted around filled with sugar and twizzle sticks, so how about putting coffee in them?

Beyond Retro Café

92 -100 Stoke Newington Road
London , N16 7XB

02079232277

Mon-Wed 10:00 - 19:00 
Thurs 10:00 - 20:00 
Fri-Sat 10:00 - 19:00
Sun 11:30 - 18:00